Method of operating brick-kilns.



E. L. WILES. METHOD -0F OPERATING BRICK KILNS. APPLIOATION FILED 00T.'I, 1911.

1,033, 1 38. Patented July 23,1912.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN L. WILES, 0F STONY POINT, NEW YORK.

METHOD OF OPERATING BRICK-KILN S.

and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of Operating Brick-Kilns, of

' which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to brick making and the object of my invention is to provide a method of burning brick in an open kiln in such a manner as to economize in the use of fuel and labor and thereby reduce the cost of manufacturing same.

The usual construction of an open kiln embodies arches which extend entirely across the bottom of the kiln in whic arches the heat is generated to burn the brick, and the top of the kiln being open, the heated gases pass from the arches directly upward through the kiln and escape through the top and a large quantity of heat is thus lost and wasted.

The height of a kiln is limited by the weight that can be sustained by the unburned brick, and the length of the arches and hence the width of the kiln is limited by the distances to which the fires can be practically controlled since it is necessary to shove the fire to the center of the arches to insure the burning of the brick in the center of the kiln.

My improved process consists in causing the hot gases to traverse the kiln obliquely between the mass of brick. Thus when firing on one side of the kiln the gases are compelled to escape at the opposite side after passing between the brick, thereby traveling over a greater number of brick before escaping than can be heated by the old method of operating a kiln since the kiln may be made much wider when my method of heating is employed.

Referring to the drawing which forms a part of this specification, the figure represents a kiln of the type I prefer to use in carrying out my process.

The brick A, are piled as shown'in a low wide pile and with interstices between the adjacent bricks to allow for the passage of the heated gases. The arches B and G ex- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 7, 1911.

Serial No. 653,299.

tend only a short distance from each side toward the middle of the kiln. The fires built in arches C generate heat which flows obliquely across the kiln and escapes at D and after firing for a period of time the firing is discontinued in the arches G and started in the arches B, the covers D being shifted to cover the outlets above the arches B, and the covers E shifted to open passages for the gases over the arches C, thereby reversing the direction of the flow of the heating gases. If. desired, the dampers F may be raised as illustrated to cause the gases to escape at a lower level, as will be readily understood. The weight of the dampers is counterbalanced by the weights G which are attached to cords HH which pass over pulleys II which are supported on the columns JJ, etc.

Should it become necessary at any time to hasten the burning of the brick in any por tion of the kiln that may be lagging behind the rest, the covers directly over the said brick may be opened thus causing the heat to pass in greater volume over said brick for a short time, and in this manner all the brick may be burned properly and evenly and at a comparatively low cost.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new:

1. The method of burning brick consisting in piling the bricks in a low comparatively wide pile, the bricks being positioned so as to leave interstices between them to allow for the passage of the heated gases, applying heat to the bottom of one side of the pile and directing the heat so as to flow in a diagonal path through the pile toward the top of the opposite side, then applying heat to the bottom of said opposite side and directing the heat so as to How through the pile to the top of said first side.

2. The method of burning brick consisting in piling the bricks in a low comparatively wide pile, the bricks being positioned so as to leave interstices between them to allow for the passage of the heated gases, applying heat to the bottom of one side of the pile and directing the heat so as to flow in a diagonal path through the pile toward the top of the opposite side, then applying heat Patented July 23, 1912. i

to the bottom of said opposite side and di Signed at New York city in the county of rooting the heat so as to flow through the New York and State of New York this 6th pile to the top of said first side, then diday of September A. D. 1911.

recting' the heat generated atthe bottom of EDWVIN L. VILES. one of said sides toward any required point Vitnesses:

at the top of the pile adjacent to which the FRANK M. AsI-ILEY,

bricks have not been suflioicntly burned. hLhNNm S. MILLER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington. D. C. 

